Toy layouts for model aircraft and other toys

ABSTRACT

The layout is assembled from a plurality of track sections each comprising a rail length and adapted to be twisted so that the assembled sections define a desired track or path of spatial movement of the aircraft or other toy, the latter having drive mechanism including a support wheel which engages a running face at one side of the track, and including also a guide element adapted to engage a guide face at the opposite side of the track, said guide element cooperating with the associated support wheel to hold the toy on the track during movement therealong.

United States Patent I i 1 I I Inventor Hermann Neuhierl 8510 Forth. Bayern. Waldstrasse 36. Germany Appl. No. 787,533 Filed Dec. 27, I968 Patented Sept. 14, 1971 Priority July 29. I968 Germany P 17 03 914.4

TOY LAYOUTS FOR MODEL AIRCRAFT AND OTHER TOYS Primary ExaminerLouis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-D. L. Wcinhold Attorney-Waters, Roditi, Schwartz 8!. Nissen ABSTRACT: The layout is assembled from a plurality of track sections each comprising a rail length and adapted to be twisted so that the assembled sections define a desired track or path of spatial movement of the aircraft or other toy, the latter having drive mechanism including a support wheel which engages a running face at one side of the track, and including also a guide element adapted to engage a guide face at the opposite side of the track, said guide element cooperating with the associated support wheel to hold the toy on the track during movement therealong.

PATENTED SEPI 4 I971 SHEET 01 0F 21 PATENTED SEP 1 4 l97| 3.604; 148

SHEET 03 0F 21 PATENTEI] SEN 4 I97! SHEET 08 0F 21 PATENTED SE?! 4 19H SHEET 0'? HF 21 PATENIEU SEPI 4 I971 SHEET {38 [1F 21 PATENTED SEP] 4 Ian SHEU l3l1F 21 PATENTEU SEP 1 4 I971 SHEET 1? HF 21 R Bk 

1. A toy for a toy layout, said toy layout comprising a plurality of track sections having running faces disposed to define a path representing spatial movement of the toy, said toy comprising a drive mechanism including support wheel means engageable with the running face of the layout track, said drive mechanism including retaining arms and guide elements carried by the retaining arms of the drive mechanism so that, when the drive mechanism is arranged on the track, the guide elements bear against the guide faces at the side of the track remote from the running face, said support wheel means comprising at least two support wheels arranged one behind the other in the direction of normal travel of the toy along the track, said guide elements comprising guide wheels rotatably mounted on the retaining arms, there being operatively associated with each support wheel one guide wheel secured on each retaining arm respectively, the latter arms being mounted for pivotal movement to enable the guide wheel to be moved into and out of engagement with the associated guide face of the track, said guide wheels being disposed opposite the support wheels.
 2. A toy as claimed in claim 1, including means for supporting the guide element retaining arms such that the guide element retaining arms are adapted, when the drive mechanism is arranged on the layout track, to engage and slide along lateral faces of the track thereby to provide for the lateral guiding of the drive mechanism.
 3. A toy as claimed in claim 1, including a bogie and wherein at least one support wheel is mounted in the bogie which latter is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the direction of movement of the drive mechanism.
 4. A toy a claimed in claim 3, wherein there is arranged on the bogie the retaining arm for the guide wheel associated with the support wheel mounted in the bogie, and wherein the bogie includes electric current collectors adapted when the drive mechanism is located on the layout track, to contact electric current conductors which are set into the track rail.
 5. A toy is claimed in claim 4, including a common retaining bracket and wherein all the current collectors are secured on the bogie by means of the common retaining bracket.
 6. A toy is claimed in claim 5, wherein the current collectors are arranged in the immediate vicinity of the retaining arms, and between the support wheels when two support wheels are arranged adjacent the retaining arms.
 7. A toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining arms carrying the guide wheels are mounted for pivotal movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the drive mechanism and wherein spring means is provided for urging the retaining arms into an end position in which the latter engage about the track rail.
 8. A toy as claimed in claim 7, wherein the retaining arms are each resilient in the directiOn of their longitudinal axis, in the position in which it engages about the track rail.
 9. A toy as claimed in claim 4, wherein the guide wheels are constituted as electric current collectors for electric current conductors positioned on the guide faces.
 10. A toy as claimed in claim 4, wherein the retaining arms are constituted as electric current collectors for current conductors disposed laterally on the rail. 